Pornography Use, Two Forms of Dehumanization, and Sexual Aggression: Attitudes vs. Behaviors (2021)

NEW STUDY. Greater exposure to porn correlates with:

1. Mechanistic dehumanization of women
2. Animalistic dehumanization of women
3. Hostile sexism
4. Sexual coercion
5. Attitudes supportive of violence against women

J Sex Marital Ther . 2021 May 14;1-20.

Yanyan Zhou  ¹ , Tuo Liu  ² , Harry Yaojun Yan  ¹ , Bryant Paul  ¹

PMID: 33988489

DOI: 10.1080/0092623X.2021.1923598

Abstract

Sexual objectification is a common pornographic theme. Research shows that sexual objectification leads to the expression of aggressive attitudes and behaviors toward women. Based on a survey study of 320 male participants, this study re-conceptualizes sexual objectification in terms of two forms of dehumanization. Evidence suggests men’s pornography use is positively associated with both forms, but mechanistic dehumanization of women is more associated with aggressive attitudes while animalistic dehumanization is more associated with aggressive behaviors. Findings indicate how objectifying pornography use may relate to aggressive attitudes and behaviors and inform the future education campaigns and interventions to reduce sexual aggression.